Bulldogs top Tech on last-minute goal

Sep 21, 2008

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - For the second time this year, the Tennessee
Tech soccer team had a game decided on a last-minute goal at Tech
Soccer Field. This time, however, the Golden Eagles were on the
wrong side of a 2-1 decision, after UNC Asheville's Katy Beeler
netted the game winning goal on a breakaway with 40 seconds to
play.

"It's one of those things, we've won a game this season with 15
seconds on the clock," Tech coach Becky Fletcher said. "And today
it was a heartbreaker to get beat on that goal with 40 seconds on
the clock."

The Golden Eagles (1-8-0) took a 1-0 lead into halftime, when
sophomore Ashley Smith got her own rebound, and passed the ball to
Senior Rebecca Ross, who kicked in the game's first goal. It was
the first goal of the season for Ross.

"Rebecca played considerable minutes today," Fletcher said. "She
gives us some senior leadership out on the field."

Two second half goals gave the Bulldogs (3-5-1) their third
straight victory. Tech continues its four game home-stand Thursday
at 4 p.m., when future OVC opponent SIU-Edwardsville comes to
Cookeville.

"SIU-Edwardsville is a quality team," Fletcher said. "They have a
solid team from player number one, all the way to the last player
on their roster. They're going to be effective, and they play hard
for ninety minutes, so I think they're going to come in and give us
a challenge on our own field."

Thursday's match is the final game before the Golden Eagles begin
conference play against Jacksonville State on Sept. 28.

"We're putting pieces together for conference play, and that's why
we play such a hard non-conference schedule. It's a new season
effective Sunday, so we're trying to prepare for that." Fletcher
said. "We keep improving. The back line did a good job today of
keeping plays in front of them, now the mid-field, we're trying to
get it engraved in the back of their head so they don't have to
think, they just do it."

Tech will wrap up its four-game home-stand on Oct. 3 in a
conference match against Eastern Kentucky. Admission to all Tech
home soccer games is free.